MURRAY Bushrangers forward Joshua Murphy is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week after a scoring onslaught in Round 12. The prolific spearhead returned to form with 19 disposals, nine marks and six goals as his side narrowly went down to Greater Western Victoria (GWV) at Windy Hill on Sunday.

Murphy kicked goals in every quarter and after putting the Bushrangers ahead in term two, twice drew them back within four points in the following periods. While to no avail, he booted the Bushies’ last three goals of the game to give them a sniff of victory, and ended up with two-thirds of his side’s six-pointers.

At 190cm, Murphy is a true power forward capable of playing above his height with explosive speed, terrific forward craft, and strong marking ability. His latest feats bring his Coates Talent League goals tally up to 19 from five outings this year, including two hauls of six. He also averages five marks per game.

Among Murphy’s other commitments this year has been representing the Allies. Captain of the side, he has posted five goals in three games, headlined by a hat-trick of majors against South Australia in game one. The 1-2 team will round out its carnival locking horns with Vic Country on Sunday July 7.

Perhaps Murphy’s closest challenger to Player of the Week honours this week came from Rebels star Sam Lalor, in the same game. The midfielder racked up 34 disposals, eight marks and nine inside 50s in his first Coates Talent League appearance for the season, having endured an unlucky run with injury.

Another impressive feat of goalkicking came from Murphy’s Allies teammate Jobe Shanahan. The mobile tall snagged five majors from 11 disposals and six marks as his Bendigo Pioneers suffered a one-point loss to Dandenong. Teammates Tom Evans and Lachlan Hogan had 27 disposals and a goal each.

High-flying Gippsland Power defender Alix Tauru was yet another player to stand out in a losing side. The recent Vic Country squad inclusion rose for eight marks among his 17 touches, backing up his emphatic return last week against the Bushrangers. All Country regions will now enjoy a bye in Round 13.

Murphy’s Murray Bushrangers currently sit in seventh place with a 5-4 record. He’ll next be in action for the Allies against many of his club teammates, while the Bushies take the field on Saturday July 6 for a clash against Dandenong at Shepley Oval.

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Round 1: Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)
Round 2: Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 3: Will McLachlan (Geelong Falcons)
Round 4: N/A
Round 5: Bailey McKenzie (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 6: Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 7: Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power)
Round 8: Geordie Payne (Tasmania Devils)
Round 9: Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 10: Jonty Faull (GWV Rebels)
Round 11: Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers)
Round 12: Joshua Murphy (Murray Bushrangers)